Abstract

This paper aims to be both an example of how one may interpret an aspect of the ‘politics’ of everyday life and a critical comment on some of the emerging orthodoxy around the academic study of everyday life. These two themes are intertwined here but in summary the paper argues the following:

• That the politics of everyday life are just as fruitfully approached through empirical study as they are via philosophical or cultural contemplation.

• That the often stated idea that a ‘critique’ of everyday life can be readily built on the foundations of some small detail or other requires qualification.

• That the orthodox distinction between everyday life and non-everyday life in terms of work and non-work realms needs qualification.

Specifically, the paper concerns an empirical description, and subsequent analysis, of a series of everyday events, their effects and significant conse- quences; it describes changes, and the effects of these changes, occurring at Nottingham railway station over a short period of time (4 weeks from 29/09/02 onwards).

Item Type:

Conference or Workshop contribution (Paper)

Additional Information:

This paper aims to be both an example of how one may interpret an aspect of the ‘politics’ of everyday life and a critical comment on some of the emerging orthodoxy around the academic study of everyday life. These two themes are intertwined here but in summary the paper argues the following:
• That the politics of everyday life are just as fruitfully approached through empirical study as they are via philosophical or cultural contemplation.
• That the often stated idea that a ‘critique’ of everyday life can be readily built on the foundations of some small detail or other requires qualification.
• That the orthodox distinction between everyday life and non-everyday life in terms of work and non-work realms needs qualification.
Specifically, the paper concerns an empirical description, and subsequent analysis, of a series of everyday events, their effects and significant conse- quences; it describes changes, and the effects of these changes, occurring at Nottingham railway station over a short period of time (4 weeks from 29/09/02 onwards).